I’m going to get spiritual on you for just a post or two. Well, actually, if you buy into Rob Bell, you might argue that everything is spiritual. In that case, anything you’ve ever read here is spiritual. . . but I digress.

One of the more challenging things for Christ followers to realize is that we are to bring a little heaven to Earth. That is, believing in Christ isn’t just a ticket to some post-game party. Rather, a relationship with Christ is a transformation in which we, the followers, become instrumental in carrying out God’s work in this world. Right now.

What kind of work? Good works.

There’s a ton more going on in Ephesians 2:8-10 – especially on grace, the gift that it is, and the fact that there is no “earning your way” to heaven – however, my purpose here is not to give a sermon as much as to offer a simple melody for anyone who may be looking for a way to memorize these or potentially for a worship leader who might want to use this in a relevant service.

It’s a rough draft, but I’m not really in a position right now to need a “polished draft.” I put it together to memorize it myself. If I were to produce it, I’d probably do it once in a simple manner and then repeat with full band, distorted guitar, etc. until the last bit where I would chill out again as I fade out on the last line.

• MP3 of Ephesians 2:8-10. (2.1 mb)
• Sheet music with chords for Ephesians 2:8-10 (kinda big .PDF – 5.6 mb)

The funny thing about the recording is that it seems to have more in common with John Michael Talbot than with The Foo Fighters. Why is that funny? Well, I kinda wish all worship music sounded more like the Foo Fighters. Oh well, I’ll do a Foo Fighters version later.

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At one point, I had thought about doing a blog on parenting, being a dad, etc. I envisioned someone Googling “How to be a better dad” and seeing my site “DadMustard” pop up on the top of the list. (My brother-in-law said, “huh, I never would have thought of someone doing that.” Needless to say, I wasn’t terribly encouraged!) I had this concept that I would write music – focusing on things I want my kids to learn or know – and then I would create questions to go along with the music. Questions that dads could ask their kids.

Of course, having worked in marketing, I wanted to do a little market analysis (ha! big mistake). So I sent my first song off to some friends and family members with the little review worksheet. I think only one of them actually tried to do what I asked (thanks Bill G.). Needless to say, I became a little frustrated and went on with life.

I haven’t really given up on the idea that I need to make the most of my time with the kids, though. Lots to teach while I got them.

Now, years later, I may not be trying to “market” that particular concept, but – even with the less-than-perfect sound of the recording – I still like what the song says to my kids, to my wife, to anyone I love.

Maybe it will speak to you. Originally, I called it The First Thing because it talks about the first thing I want my kids to know. A good friend suggested You Make My Heart Smile would be a better title. He’s probably right (Gregg usually is). So, here is You Make My Heart Smile.

It’s the first thing I recorded with my home studio gear years ago (ha! maybe that’s what the title really means) – so definitely not perfect. But I’ve given up on being perfect anymore.

In that spirit, I’ll even link here to some of the questions I had prepared for that song. At a minimum, it might make you ask whether you need to tell your kids how much you love them and how important they are to your life. Your time is limited. Make the best of it.

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My kids worked up a song for their mom this Christmas. Maybe your kids would like to sing along?

Listen to We Love You Mom!. (4.2mb .mp3)

Keep in mind, we had to write and record this when mom wasn’t around, so the kids didn’t get much practice time! (and I mixed it a lot in the headphones, which isn’t always the best.) Alissa (9) actually recorded the little solo too – she was pretty excited to do that.

I think it’s fun and says a lot of things moms need to hear.

View the lyrics of We Love You Mom! (76kb .pdf).

Enjoy.

PS. If you liked that, you might also enjoy last year’s Christmas gift to mom, a song called Super Mom. It’s a rocker.

Play Super Mom. (3mb .mp3)

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Was my wife, Mary Elizabeth.

I don’t tell her that enough. Seems only appropriate to do that on Christmas.

To honor her, I wrote a little song.

Play The Best Gift I Ever Got (5mb .mp3).

If you’re curious to see the lyrics you can view this .pdf (73kb).

Enjoy.

PS Apologies to those who are tired of love songs. The thing is, authentic love is worth writing about.

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I promised an MP3 of a song many moons ago in my MustardCast with Ben Delzer of the band, standing mavis.

It has taken me too long to get this out to you, and I apologize for the imperfections of it. It was played live and mixed down by me, a non-engineer. (This is what you get when you let a drummer behind the board!)

I promised my wife I’d do the dishes tonight before midnight, and then I went into final mixdown of this and. . .whoops. . .looks like another late night. (I will do the dishes, though.)

This month has been crazy, but I am so excited by the music I’ve been able to be a part of.

As I finished this track up, I thought about Ben and Matt, who make up the other 2/3rds of standing mavis. I would do anything for these guys. They are so great.

Jim Collins in his business research (visit his link in my blogroll) often talks about “getting the right people on the bus” in your company. (Read Good to Great to understand this.) It’s a lost art in terms of bands.

I cannot think of two people I’d rather be on the bus with than Ben Delzer and Matt Rodgers. Two fantastic musicians. Two fantastic people.

Here’s the song, Steel. (4.3mb .mp3)

I’ll also upload it at http://www.myspace.com/standingmavis.

MustardCast Number 3 with Brit Rice is next on the list…before Christmas? Oh man, I don’t know. . .

Thanks for visiting!

PS If you didn’t catch the interview with Ben, you might want to. Learn more here.

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